When Will Smith began developing a remake of the musical Annie with Jay-Z, his intentions were clearly to create a vehicle for his hair-whipping daughter Willow. But when news hit last week that the project had landed Will Gluck as director, it came with word that Willow had left the project. But who could possibly fill the shoes of the force of nature that is li'l Miss Smith? How about the youngest Oscar nominee of all time?

EW reports that Beasts Of The Southern Wild star Quvenzhane Wallis is being considered by Sony to front their Annie revamp. The site also confessed earlier reports that Willow Smith had aged out the role were not entirely true. She turned it down. According to her father, the stress of being a pop star and its requisite touring took its toll on the 12-year-old, and rather than shooting a movie musical, she told Smith, "I have a better idea, how about I just be 12.''

With the Oscars approaching, nine-year-old Wallis has been doing plenty of press to promote the little indie movie that first became a surprise hit at Sundance, then went on to be one of the most raved about movies of the year, and earned four Academy Award nominations in major categories: Best Lead Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director and Best Picture. For Wallis this could prove the start of a long-lasting career in film and television. Just look at True Blood's Anna Paquin, who won the Oscar at age eleven for The Piano.

Wallis has already completed shooting on her second film, Steve McQueen's buzzed about follow-up to Shame, Twelve Years a Slave. But is she ready to front a Hollywood musical? Can she even sing? She's sure to be asked about Annie in the coming days. We'll keep you informed.